(a) A special temporary authorization (STA) is the authority
granted to a permittee or licensee to permit the operation of
a broadcast facility for a limited period at a specified variance
from the terms of the station authorization or requirements of
the FCC rules applicable to the particular class of station.

(1) A request for a STA should be filed with FCC in Washington,
DC at least 10 days prior to the date of the proposed operation.

(2) The request is to be made by letter and shall fully describe
the proposed operation and the necessity for the requested STA.
Such letter requests shall be signed by the licensee or the licensee's
representative.

(3) A request for a STA necessitated by unforeseen equipment damage
or failure may be made without regard to the procedural requirements
of this section (e.g. via telegram or telephone). Any request
made pursuant to this paragraph shall be followed by a written
confirmation request conforming to the requirements of paragraph
(a)(2) of this section. Confirmation requests shall be submitted
within 24 hours. (See also Sec. 73.1680 Emergency Antennas).

(4) An STA may be granted for an initial period not to exceed
180 days. A limited number of extensions of such authorizations
may be granted for additional periods not exceeding 180 days per
extension. An STA necessitated by technical or equipment problems,
however, may, in practice, be granted for an initial period not
to exceed 90 days with a limited number of extensions not to exceed
90 days per extension. The permittee or licensee must demonstrate
that any further extensions requested are necessary and that all
steps to resume normal operation are being undertaken an in expeditious
and timely fashion.

(b) An STA may be modified or cancelled by the FCC without prior
notice or right to hearing.

(c) No request by an AM station for temporary authority to extend
its hours of operation beyond those authorized by its regular
authorization will be accepted or granted by the FCC except in
emergency situations conforming with the requirements of Sec.
73.3542, Application for Emergency Authorization. See also Sec.
73.1250, Broadcasting Emergency Information.